POLICE boxes may return to Darlington as part of a major five-year strategy to improve law and order and make the public feel safer.

The idea is among 61 recommendations in a Best Value review which, if adopted, would mean a higher visible police presence in the town and stronger emphasis on crime prevention.

The strategy includes spending more than £1m on a warden service to deal with civil and quality of life issues.

Police boxes would be a twentyfirst century revamp of the old style which disappeared in the Sixties - made famous as the Tardis colonised by Dr Who in the TV series.

Some would be fitted with a video link, others would have direct telephone lines.

Wardens would wear a uniform and be given training, some as specialists, and provide a visible presence to handle parking, litter, dog fouling, environmental problems, minor disorder and nuisance. A corporate livery and the logo on their vehicles would flag up crime prevention.

Seventeen locations - supermarkets, community centres, the indoor market and Binns store - are seen as ideal places for the public to meet the police in this high profile operation.

The vision was unveiled by Darlington's Chief Supt Michael Banks in a joint Best Value review drawn up with Darlington Council. The first of its kind in the country, it has to be agreed by both the council and the police authority.

The recommendations are aimed at spreading an authoritative, uniformed presence across the borough.

Chief Supt Banks told the public protection and community partnerships scrutiny committee: "We want to give you access to our services, action when you want it and accountability. If the public doesn't notice a difference, this has been a waste of time, no matter how well we do it."

The police want all wards to have their own beat officer, warden, designated detective and possibly a special constable.

Military police would be encouraged to help with patrols at weekends when soldiers from Catterick come into town pubs and clubs.

Firefighters would be urged to carry out safety surveys in uniform and to patrol arson hot spots.

Mr Banks also spoke about traffic wardens who had a poor public image as "yellow peril ticket slappers". He said: "We are hoping at some point to re-brand their role and extend their powers, linking them in with council wardens with a common uniform."

The plans include a volunteer and a junior warden scheme in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and the junior crime prevention panel. "We need to divert young people away from potential criminal activity," said Chief Supt Banks.

Warden access to police radios and a joint communications room based around the CCTV centre - a fully integrated 24-hour call centre - would also be explored.

Bylaws would need updating. "Riding a motorcycle through a public park has a fixed penalty fine of £2. Some kids would pay £2 to ride over the bowling green, so we have to get the right laws in place," he said.

Next month, CID detectives return to wearing suits instead of casual clothes, and will be given police jackets and marked cars to identify them when not on covert duties